The IIT Madras administration has barred a professor from visiting the department laboratory following allegations of his “role” in the suicide of a student two weeks ago. A senior IIT official said the professor has been asked to stay away until the investigation is completed. Research scholar Sachin Kumar Jain was found dead in his room in Velachery on March 31, the third suicide at IIT-Madras in the last two months. Serious accusations emerged against Sachin's PhD guide, a senior professor with high academic credentials. Bhavesh, Sachin's older brother, wrote to IIT-Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, alleging that the guide was exerting “undue pressure” on his brother. The six-page letter alleged that Sachin was frequently reprimanded by the guide and given too much work even though the latter knew that the scholar was taking medication for mental health issues. “Sachin decided to take his own life after the inhuman treatment meted out to him by his PhD guide,” Bhavesh wrote in the letter. The letter and the specific allegations against the professor led to protests on the campus on Tuesday, prompting the administration to take decisive action. “Due to recent incidents and protests on campus, the professor is restrained from visiting the lab until the investigation is complete. The students are advised to contact the HoD for any exigencies,” said a communication sent by the institute's director to the campus community. Former IAS officer Kannegi Packianathan will conduct an external inquiry into the suicide and the committee will include a student representative. The committee is expected to submit its report within 10 days.
